Photo Marketing Association UK (PMA UK)

Benro has announced a new addition to its tripod range with the release of the Travel Angel 2.

This new model brings together the best features from Benro’s original Travel Angel and its Transfunctional Travel Angel series to create a tripod that, says Paul Kench, Managing Director of Kenro who distribute Benro products in the UK and Ireland, ticks every box on the photographer’s wish list. He added: “The original Travel Angel has received consistent praise from photographers and enthusiasts around the world but Travel Angel 2 takes the design to a new level.”

Manufactured from high quality aluminium or carbon fibre with magnesium alloy castings, Benro’s Travel Angel 2 tripods are supplied matched with one of the company’s B series Ball Heads. They are rust and weather resistant and have innovative rubberised leg locking grips and an anti-rotating twist-lock leg design, both of which make for a quick set up.

Additional flexibility is achieved by the tripod legs which can be independently locked in two positions, helping photographers work in difficult or cramped conditions. These independently locked legs also help on uneven ground where, depending on the surface or ground conditions, either spiked or rubber feet can be chosen while a hook on the bottom of the centre column enables the user to hang additional weights to increase stability.

For portability and compactness, tripod legs can be inverted and folded back through 180 degrees. Each tripod features a detachable leg, that when used in conjunction with the removable centre column, easily converts the tripod into a full sized monopod without the need for additional tools.

Tripods are also supplied with an attachment to convert the monopod into a fully functioning walking stick with built in compass. A high quality durable case is included with strap for ease of transportation and added protection.

The Travel Angel 2 series is available in a choice of six sizes, in both high quality aluminium as well as eight layer carbon fibre.

Review stock: please email Pete Brandon from WPS Media – pete@wpsmedia.co.uk

Kenro Ltd
Greenbridge Road
Swindon
SN3 3LH
Tel: 01793 615836
Fax: 01793 530108
E-mail: sales@kenro.co.uk
Web: www.kenro.co.uk

Color Confidence has announced the QSS-3800 and QSS-3801HD, two “state-of-the-art”, cost efficient, silver halide minilabs that provide users with high levels of quality, speed and efficiency. Both minilabs, as well as the full range of Noritsu machines and consumables are available from Color Confidence.

Graeme Williams, General Manager for the Noritsu team at Colour Confidence said “These two new machines show that Noritsu is continuing to develop and enhance its product line and is still leading the charge for quality on site photo printers. We are sure these two new machines will be a big help to our efforts to build on our successes of 2011.”

“It’s clear that wet labs continue to be important with their lower print production costs allowing our customers to provide competitive, high quality print products.  We will of course be very happy to discuss the new machines and other exciting ideas on stand C22 at Focus on Imaging which starts on the 4th March at the NEC in Birmingham.”

Overview

The QSS-3800 is an entry-level minilab that provides the basic tools necessary to be successful in today’s market. Whilst the QSS-3801HD takes your business to an even higher level with advanced features like a 640dpi laser exposure system, a 12-tray order sorter, and colorimeter enabling automatic daily setup.
Masataka Aoyagi, President of Noritsu Koki Works, Japan said “Our goal with the QSS-3800 was to make the initial cost as attractive as possible without sacrificing quality. The QSS-3801HD is more feature-rich, but is also priced competitively for a minilab of its calibre. We are confident that both models will play a significant role in helping customers produce high quality and profitable work.”

Features

1. High quality laser engine - The QSS-3800 uses a high quality 300dpi laser engine producing superb photographic output whilst the QSS-3801HD has a high definition 640dpi laser engine that takes this to an even higher level with outstanding colour fidelity and excellent image depth.
2. More print versatility with thin paper - The QSS-38 series supports thin paper (160 microns), enabling you to provide value-added products like postcards and photo covers for hard cover albums and photo books.
3. Space-saving design – In addition to their small footprint, both machines have a useable work surface where the EZ Controller can be installed. This enables a configuration that takes up to 40% less space than when the EZ Controller is placed on a separate table.
4. High capacity & high speed enlargement printing – The QSS-3801HD has a 6×4″ print productivity of 1480 prints per hour, and the QSS-3800 740 prints per hour. Both models are capable of producing an impressive 420 print per hour for the 10×8″ and 350 prints per hour for 12×10′s.

5. Prints up to 914.4mm (36 inches) long – The maximum paper width is 305mm (12 inches) and the maximum print length is 914.4mm (36 inches), making it possible to provide a wide variety of print services e.g. photo book covers. 
6. Interrupted orders are identified by LED lamps on the order sorter (QSS-3801HD) – The EZ Controller software has the unique ability to interrupt orders in process to give priority to urgent orders. LED lamps on the order sorter are used in conjunction with this to indicate which orders have been interrupted and which print trays hold the interrupted orders. 
7. Operation software “EZ Controller” (sold separately)  – The EZ Controller takes care of everything from print order management to colour correction of the individual images. 
8. “AccuSmart” correction technology and RAW image file processing  – Noritsu’s image processing technology “AccuSmart” automatically applies a wide range of correction tools such as colour balance, backlit scene correction, noise reduction, lens aberration correction and red-eye removal. Additionally, with the EZ Controller you can process raw images and apply AccuSmart technology turning them into ultra-high quality prints.
9. Automatic setup prints managed by the built in colorimeter unit (QSS-3801HD) – The colorimeter is built into the processor. This enables setup prints to be automatically fed into the colorimeter after the dryer unit, eliminating the need to manually read the test prints. 
10. Dual magazine system (Option) – The dual magazine system enables you to increase the number of prints and/or variety of prints you can make without changing magazines.

With a wealth of technology incorporated into the system, and backed by the largest minilab service organization in the world, Noritsu is ready to roll out the QSS-38 series. For more information or to arrange a demonstration call the Noritsu team on 0121 684 1010

For further information contact:
Graeme Williams, Color Confidence –  Telephone: 0121 684 1010

Spurred on by the success of the launch of their Signature mount cutting system last year, Longridge, will be showcasing their new flexible Autograph system at Focus On Imaging 2012 for the very first time.

Available with burgundy colour anodized rails, the Autograph retains many of the features of their Signature system-engineered blade technology, guide rail, cutter stops, vertical and bevel cutters, marker gauge, spare pencils and blades, burnishing bone, instruction DVD, everything required to get started in one box- yet retains flexibility of use at a price that any photographer can afford. The cutting system is designed to allow for left or right-handed use. No other tools are required.

“We believe that the Autograph is the most versatile and cost effective solution available today for any photographer looking to raise his or her presentation skills.” says Christopher Longridge. “There is now no reason for anyone to keep their images buried in a computer or filed in an album. Whether enthusiast or professional, using the Autograph will top and tail their ability to create marketable, award winning images. We believe that Autograph is the best system available for creative mount cutting”.

The new Autograph system is available in two sizes, Midi A2 and Plus A1 providing photographers with the means to cut window sizes up to 765 mm.

Also on show will be Longridge’s much acclaimed Signature system, launched at Focus On Imaging 2011. Available in 3 sizes, Midi A2 and Plus A1 in a classy electric blue finish and Maxi A0+ in both burgundy and electric blue, Signature has an added bonus of parallelograms with calibrated marking scales. These speed up marking out mount cuts and are indispensable for repeat size projects-a real bonus for photographers. As endorsed by the photographic press the Signature system provides ‘perfect, hassle-free mounts in a matter of minutes’ and cuts with ‘unrivalled precision’.

And it is the blade technology that is all important and is a consistent part of Longridge equipment, irrespective of the model of mount cutter purchased.  Longridge have made a considerable investment in their blades over the years. They only use surgical quality British steel,
rolled to prevent scuffing. This provides a sharper edge and longer blade life. Dry blades, unlike oiled blades, also eliminate smears on the bevel edge which could ruin what a photographer is trying to achieve.

Longridge will also be showing their SprintMat cutting mat, design engineered for bevel cutting photographic and picture mounts, providing the best possible support for blades whilst cutting.  SprintMat fibres are aligned in the direction of the cutting edge during manufacture in order to reduce drag, wear and deflection on the blade. This provides the photographer with a clean mount cut every time, and a superior, flawless mount finish with minimal effort.

SprintMat will be available for sale on stand during the show, either as part of the Autograph and Signature systems, or in packs of 20.

Both Autograph and Signature systems will be on show at Focus on Stand F30, Hall 9.

For more information, call Longridge on 07752 929363, email sales@longridge.co.uk or visit www.longridge.co.uk

Sony promises even faster saving, sharing and uploads of your personal media files with news of the Brand-new Micro Vault MACH, the first family of flash memory drives from Sony with SuperSpeed USB 3.0 technology.

Micro Vault MACH is ideal for consumers and business users who need the convenience and reliability of ultra-fast on-the-go data transfers. Available in capacities from 8GB up to 64GB, Micro Vault MACH offers data speeds up to 120 MB/s and 90 MB/s, dependant on host devices, software and usage. Sony promises the users will now enjoy faster sharing and uploads of music, photos, HD video and media-rich documents – and less time spent waiting for your files to copy.

Micro Vault MACH is backward-compatible with USB 2.0, so you can use it seamlessly with current PCs and other devices that don’t support the SuperSpeed USB 3.0 standard. 

Micro Vault MACH is encased in a solid aluminium body that’s built to withstand day-to-day knocks. The retractable USB connector’s click mechanism offers extra protection while shrinking the drive’s size for even greater portability. There’s a handy LED indicator to give visual confirmation of data transfers when the drive is in use. For extra peace for mind, all drives come with a standard five-year warranty.

Downloadable software for the Micro Vault MACH series includes File Rescue and x – Pict Story™. File rescue enables users to recover any important data that might have been deleted by mistake, making retrieving lost data such as images, movies and music files a breeze. The x – Pict Story™ software allows the creation of an automated photo presentation using the files stored on the Micro Vault.

The new Micro Vault MACH series of USB 3.0 SuperSpeed flash memory drives from Sony is available now.

Samsung Electronics Co have this week unveiled the latest additions to its family of Smart camcorders, offering a range of innovative features that appeal to film-makers of all abilities and ambitions. The new line up forms Samsung’s range of Smart camcorders that modernize the shooting, storing and sharing of movies with their ability to store images directly to the cloud, access them anywhere in the world and instantly share with friends on social networking sites.

Flexible family fun with the Q20/QF20
The Q20 follows on from the popular and innovative Q10, incorporating the new Switch Grip 2 which now includes Vertical Recording, increasing flexibility with the ability to record from three angles. The Switch Grip means that however the camcorder is held, the G-magnetic sensor inside recognises the angle and will turn LCD display accordingly making it easier to see and control recording from every angle. The Smart QF20 also boasts the capability to upload and share content instantly through built in Wi-Fi, whilst the Auto-Backup function ensures all memories are secured and saved to your chosen PC.

The Q20′s slim and portable design houses 1080i Full HD recording, 20x optical zoom and creative functions. Ideal for busy young families, it’s a lightweight and easy-to-use on-the-go companion. Samsung’s new ‘Shake It’ feature incorporated in the Q20 gives an extra sense of fun to family movies, allowing artistic effects to be added randomly with a simple shake of the camera whilst the Art time lapse effects including reverse time lapse allows anyone to unleash their creative side! Meanwhile the camcorder’s One Touch recording function and touch-LCD screen make it easier than ever to control your recording and editing whilst on the move.

The all-terrain W300/W350 for extreme shots in extreme conditions
The W300 is the latest in Samsung’s rugged range of pocket camcorders, designed as the ideal companion for sports and outdoors enthusiasts. With its dust proof design and ability to be submerged in up to five metres of water and remain shock-proof from heights of up to two meters it is ideal for capturing all of the action and adventure of an outdoor lifestyle in 1080/30p full HD video. Its innovative range of features make it suited best to extreme use, for example the optional floating bumper featured in the W350 enables the user to film whilst floating the camcorder on top of water. The 5M BSI CMOS Sensor and F2.2 Bright Lens also facilitate low-light shooting for high quality images, whilst the addition of Switch Grip on the W350 means that video footage remains upright.

Fun family moments in HD with the F80
The F80 is a family-friendly option that can shoot movies in HD with upgraded image quality in an affordable and stylish package. Full of intelligent features and powered by HDMI, the F80 has 52x optical zoom and 65x intelli-zoom, so will bring you even closer to the family action. The F80 also features 1280 x 720 30p recording for smooth and clear video capturing in bright detail on the 1/3.2″ 5 Megapixel CMOS Sensor as well as 1080i video up-scaling via HDMI. In addition to this, the F80 allows you to add a soundtrack to your videos using the Smart Background Music II feature to make your movies truly memorable.

Nick White, Head of the Digital Imaging, Samsung UK, said, “Our latest camcorder line-up is our strongest yet, offering the perfect camcorder for every lifestyle and budget. With the new QF20 we’re delighted to be able to offer Smart capabilities to make shooting, sharing and saving people’s special memories easier than ever. Whether it’s for an active family, outdoors enthusiast or budding director, each camcorder in our range offers stand-out design and functions to make creativity come alive.”

Create memories
Each camcorder in Samsung’s new line-up offers creative options to easily bring your movies to life without the need for editing experience or even a computer.  My Clip, a feature found across the whole range, is a simple way to bookmark the most important parts of the action as they happen so that you can pick the best moments for an instantly edited ‘highlights’ montage.  The upgraded Smart BGM II (Background Music) adds atmosphere to movies by letting you sync your music, automatically adjusting volume under or over your video clip.